Bioerodible polyorthoesters from dioxolane-based diketene acetals

ABSTRACT

Bioerodible polyorthoesters useful as orthopedic implants or vehicles for the sustained delivery of pharmaceutical, cosmetic and agricultural agents contain hydrogen bonding groups and α-hydroxy acid-containing groups.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This application relates to polyorthoesters. In particular, this invention relates to bioerodible polyorthoesters containing new diketene acetals and a-hydroxy acid-containing groups.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Interest in synthetic biodegradable polymers for the systemic delivery of therapeutic agents began in the early 1970's with the work of Yolles et al., Polymer News 1, 9-15 (1970) using poly(lactic acid). Since that time, numerous other polymers have been prepared and investigated as bioerodible matrices for the controlled release of therapeutic agents.

[0005] U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,079,038, 4,093,709, 4,131,648, 4,138,344 and 4,180,646 disclose biodegradable or bioerodible polyorthoesters. These polymers are formed by a reaction between an orthoester (or orthocarbonate) such as 2,2-diethoxytetrahydrofuran and a diol such as 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol. The reaction requires elevated temperature and reduced pressure and a relatively long reaction time. Drugs or other active agents are retained in the polymer matrix to be released as the polymer biodegrades due to hydrolysis of the labile linkages.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,304,767 discloses polymers prepared by reacting a polyol with a polyfunctional ketene acetal. These polymers represent a significant improvement over those of U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,079,038, 4,093,709, 4,131,648, 4,138,344 and 4,180,646, since synthesis proceeds readily at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, and the resulting polymers have superior properties.

[0007] Further polymers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,957,998. These polymers contain acetal, carboxy-acetal and carboxy-orthoester linkages, and are prepared by a two-step process beginning with the reaction between a polyfunctional ketene acetal and a compound containing a vinyl ether, followed by reaction with a polyol or polyacid.

[0008] Still further polymers of a similar type are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,931. The polymers are formed by a reaction between a compound containing a multiplicity of carboxylate functions and a polyfunctional ketene acetal. The resulting polymers have very rapid erosion times.

[0009] Despite the ease with which the orthoester linkage hydrolyses, polyorthoesters known in the prior art are extremely stable materials when placed in an aqueous buffer, or when residing in the body. This stability is attributable to the extreme hydrophobicity of the polyorthoesters which severely limits the amount of water that can penetrate the polymer. To achieve useful erosion rates, therefore, acidic excipients must be physically incorporated into the polymer. While this allows control over erosion rates, the physically incorporated acidic excipient can diffuse from the polymer matrix at varying rates, leaving a matrix that is completely depleted of excipient while the polymer still has a very long lifetime remaining.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,968,543 (Heller et al.) describes polyorthoesters containing a-hydroxy acid-containing groups. The polyorthoesters are formed from the reaction of a diketene acetal such as 3,9-di(ethylidene)-2,4,8,10-tetraoxaspiro[5.5]undecane (DETOSU) with at least 0.1 mol % of an “α-hydroxy acid” diol and 0-99.9 mol % of one or more of a “hard” diol and a “soft” diol (as those terms are used in the patent). These polyorthoesters are stated to have greater bioerodibility than similar polyorthoesters not containing the α-hydroxy acid ester-containing groups, and to have the bioerodibility controllable by variation in the concentration of the α-hydroxy acid ester-containing groups.

[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 4,549,010 (Sparer et al.) describes polyorthoesters containing functional groups which produce hydrogen bonding.

[0012] The disclosures of the documents listed in this section and elsewhere throughout this application are incorporated herein by reference.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] In a first aspect, this invention is polyorthoesters of formula I:

[0014] where:

[0015] R is a bond, —(CH₂)_(a)—, or —(CH₂)_(a)—O—(CH₂)_(a)—; where A is an integer of 1 to 10, and b and c are independently integers of 1 to 5;

[0016] R* is a C₁₋₄ alkyl;

[0017] n is an integer of at least 5; and

[0018] A is R¹, R², R³, or R⁴, where

[0019] R¹ is:

[0020] where:

[0021] p is an integer of 1 to 20;

[0022] R⁵ is hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl; and

[0023] R⁶ is:

[0024] where:

[0025] s is an integer of 0 to 30;

[0026] t is an integer of 2 to 200; and

[0027] R⁷ is hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl;

[0028] R² is:

[0029] where:

[0030] x is an integer of 0 to 30;

[0031] y is an integer of 2 to 200;

[0032] R⁸ is hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl;

[0033] R⁹ and R¹⁰ are independently C₁₋₁₂ alkylene;

[0034] R¹¹ is hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl and R¹² is C₁₋₆ alkyl; or R¹¹ and R¹² together are C₃₋₁₀ alkylene; and

[0035] R⁴ is a diol containing at least one functional group independently selected from amide, imide, urea, and urethane groups;

[0036] in which at least 0.1 mol % of the A units are R¹.

[0037] In a second aspect, this invention is controlled release pharmaceutical compositions comprising:

[0038] (a) an active agent; and

[0039] (b) as a vehicle, the polyorthoester described above.

[0040] In a third aspect, this invention is a method of treating a disease state treatable by controlled release local administration of an active agent, in particular treating pain by administration of a local anesthetic or treating cancer by administration of a chemotherapeutic or antineoplastic agent, comprising locally administering a therapeutically effective amount of the active agent in the form of the pharmaceutical composition described above.

[0041] In a fourth aspect, this invention is methods of using the polyorthoesters of the first aspect of the invention as bioerodible implants.

[0042] In a fifth aspect, this invention is methods of preparation of the polyorthoesters of the first aspect of the invention and the controlled release pharmaceutical compositions of the second aspect of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0043] It has now been discovered that polyorthoesters useful as orthopedic implants or vehicles for the sequestration and sustained delivery of drugs, cosmetic agents and other beneficial agents can be prepared in such a manner that the rate and degree to which they are hydrolyzed by contact with bodily fluids at normal body temperature and pH can be controlled without addition of exogenous acid. This discovery resides in the incorporation of esters of short-chain α-hydroxy acids such as esters of glycolic acid, lactic acid or glycolic-co-lactic acid copolymer into the polyorthoester chain and variation of the amount of these esters relative to the polyorthoester as a whole.

[0044] In the presence of water, these esters, when incorporated into the polyorthoester chain, are readily hydrolyzed at a body temperature of 37° C. and a physiological pH, in particular at a pH of 7.4, to produce the corresponding α-hydroxy acids. The α-hydroxy acids then act as an acidic excipient to control the hydrolysis rate of the polyorthoester. When the polyorthoester is used as a vehicle or matrix entrapping an active agent, the hydrolysis of the polyorthoester causes release of the active agent.

[0045] In addition, the mechano-physical state of the polyorthoester may also be controlled. This is achieved by the inclusion of the residues of certain diols in selected proportions relative to the polyorthoester as a whole. For example, a high content of the residue of trans-1,4-cyclohexane-dimethanol or a similar “hard” diol relative to a “soft” diol (definition of which is given below) produces a relatively rigid polymer chain and a more solid substance, and by decreasing the trans-cyclohexanedimethanol content relative to the “soft” diol, the polyorthoester will change progressively through the stages of a rigid thermoplastic, a soft thermoplastic, a low melting solid to an ointment-like (viscous liquid) material, and any stage in between.

[0046] The polyorthoesters of the present invention are prepared by condensation reactions between diketene acetals and polyols, preferably diols, and the variation in mechano-physical state and rate of hydrolysis (bioerodibility) is achieved by the selection and use of combinations of different types of diols.

[0047] Definitions

[0048] “Active agent” includes any compound or mixture of compounds which produces a beneficial or useful result. Active agents are distinguishable from such components as vehicles, carriers, diluents, lubricants, binders and other formulating aids, and encapsulating or otherwise protective components. Examples of active agents are pharmaceutical, agricultural or cosmetic agents. Suitable pharmaceutical agents include locally or systemically acting pharmaceutically active agents which may be administered to a subject by topical or intralesional application (including, for example, applying to abraded skin, lacerations, puncture wounds, etc., as well as into surgical incisions) or by injection, such as subcutaneous, intradermal, intramuscular, intraocular, or intra-articular injection. Examples of these agents include, but not limited to, anti-infectives (including antibiotics, antivirals, fungicides, scabicides or pediculicides), antiseptics (e.g., benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, chlorhexidine gluconate, mafenide acetate, methylbenzethonium chloride, nitrofurazone, nitromersol and the like), steroids (e.g., estrogens, progestins, androgens, adrenocorticoids, and the like), therapeutic polypeptides (e.g. insulin, erythropoietin, morphogenic proteins such as bone morphogenic protein, and the like), analgesics and anti-inflammatory agents (e.g., aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, ketorolac, COX-1 inhibitors, COX-2 inhibitors, and the like), cancer chemotherapeutic agents (e.g., mechlorethamine, cyclophosphamide, fluorouracil, thioguanine, carmustine, lomustine, melphalan, chlorambucil, streptozocin, methotrexate, vincristine, bleomycin, vinblastine, vindesine, dactinomycin, daunorubicin, doxorubicin, tamoxifen, and the like), narcotics (e.g., morphine, meperidine, codeine, and the like), local anesthetics (e.g., the amide- or anilide-type local anesthetics such as bupivacaine, dibucaine, mepivacaine, procaine, lidocaine, tetracaine, and the like), antiangiogenic agents (e.g., combrestatin, contortrostatin, anti-VEGF, and the like), polysaccharides, vaccines, antigens, DNA and other polynucleotides, antisense oligonucleotides, and the like. The present invention may also be applied to other locally acting active agents, such as astringents, antiperspirants, irritants, rubefacients, vesicants, sclerosing agents, caustics, escharotics, keratolytic agents, sunscreens and a variety of dermatologics including hypopigmenting and antipruritic agents. The term “active agents” further includes biocides such as fungicides, pesticides, and herbicides, plant growth promoters or inhibitors, preservatives, disinfectants, air purifiers and nutrients.

[0049] “Alkyl” denotes a linear saturated hydrocarbyl having from one to the number of carbon atoms designated, or a branched or cyclic saturated hydrocarbyl having from three to the number of carbon atoms designated (e.g., C₁₋₄ alkyl). Examples of alkyl include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, cyclopropyl, n-butyl, t-butyl, cyclopropylmethyl, and the like.

[0050] “Alkylene” denotes a branched or unbranched saturated divalent radical having from one to the number of carbon atoms designated (e.g., C₁-C₁₂ alkylene). Examples of alkylene include methylene (—CH₂—), ethylene (—CH₂CH₂—), isopentylene (—CH₂—CH(CH₃)—CH₂—CH₂—), n-octylene (—(CH₂)₈—) and the like.

[0051] “Bioerodible” and “bioerodibility” refer to the degradation, disassembly or digestion of the polyorthoester by action of a biological environment, including the action of living organisms and most notably at physiological pH and temperature. A principal mechanism for bioerosion of the polyorthoesters of the present invention is hydrolysis of linkages between and within the units of the polyorthoester.

[0052] “Comprising” is an inclusive term interpreted to mean containing, embracing, covering or including the elements listed following the term, but not excluding other unrecited elements.

[0053] “Controlled release”, “sustained release”, and similar terms are used to denote a mode of active agent delivery that occurs when the active agent is released from the delivery vehicle at an ascertainable and controllable rate over a period of time, rather than dispersed immediately upon application or injection. Controlled or sustained release may extend for hours, days or months, and may vary as a function of numerous factors. For the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention, the rate of release will depend on the type of the excipient selected and the concentration of the excipient in the composition. Another determinant of the rate of release is the rate of hydrolysis of the linkages between and within the units of the polyorthoester. The rate of hydrolysis in turn may be controlled by the composition of the polyorthoester and the number of hydrolyzable bonds in the polyorthoester. Other factors determining the rate of release of an active agent from the present pharmaceutical composition include particle size, acidity of the medium (either internal or external to the matrix) and physical and chemical properties of the active agent in the matrix.

[0054] “Matrix” denotes the physical structure of the polyorthoester which essentially retains the active agent in a manner preventing release of the agent until the polyorthoester erodes or decomposes.

[0055] “Sequestration” is the confinement or retention of an active agent within the internal spaces of a polyorthoester matrix. Sequestration of an active agent within the matrix may limit the toxic effect of the agent, prolong the time of action of the agent in a controlled manner, permit the release of the agent in a precisely defined location in an organism, or protect unstable agents against the action of the environment.

[0056] A “therapeutically effective amount” means the amount that, when administered to an animal for treating a disease, is sufficient to effect treatment for that disease.

[0057] “Treating” or “treatment” of a disease includes preventing the disease from occurring in an animal that may be predisposed to the disease but does not yet experience or exhibit symptoms of the disease (prophylactic treatment), inhibiting the disease (slowing or arresting its development), providing relief from the symptoms or side-effects of the disease (including palliative treatment), and relieving the disease (causing regression of the disease). For the purposes of this invention, a “disease” includes pain.

[0058] A “unit” denotes an individual segment of a polyorthoester chain, which consists of the residue of a diketene acetal molecule and the residue of a polyol.

[0059] An “α-hydroxy acid containing” unit denotes a unit where A is R¹, i.e. in which the polyol is prepared from an a-hydroxy acid or cyclic diester thereof and a diol of the formula HO—R⁵—OH. The fraction of the polyorthoester that is a-hydroxy acid containing units affects the rate of hydrolysis (or bioerodibility) of the polyorthoester, and in turn, the release rate of the active agent.

[0060] “Hard”, “soft”, and “hydrogen bonding” units denote individual units of the polyorthoester, the contents of which relative to the polyorthoester as a whole determine the mechano-physical state of the polyorthoester. “Hard” units are units where A is R², “soft” units are units where A is R³, and “hydrogen bonding” units are units where A is R⁴.

[0061] “Vehicle” and “carrier” denote an ingredient that is included in a composition such as a pharmaceutical or cosmetic preparation for reasons other than a therapeutic or other biological effect. Functions served by vehicles and carriers include transporting an active agent to a site of interest, controlling the rate of access to, or release of, the active agent by sequestration or other means, and facilitating the application of the agent to the region where its activity is needed.

[0062] The Polyorthoesters

[0063] The polyorthoesters are of formula I:

[0064] where:

[0065] R is a bond, —(CH₂)_(a)—, or —(CH₂)_(a)—O—(CH₂)_(a)—; where A is an integer of 1 to 10, and b and c are independently integers of 1 to 5;

[0066] R* is a C₁₋₄ alkyl;

[0067] n is an integer of at least 5; and

[0068] A is R¹, R², R¹, or R⁴, where

[0069] R¹ is:

[0070] where:

[0071] p is an integer of 1 to 20;

[0072] R⁵ is hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl; and

[0073] R⁶ is:

[0074] where:

[0075] s is an integer of 0 to 30;

[0076] t is an integer of 2 to 200; and

[0077] R⁷ is hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl;

[0078] R² is:

[0079] where:

[0080] x is an integer of 0 to 30;

[0081] y is an integer of 2 to 200;

[0082] R⁸ is hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl;

[0083] R⁹ and R¹⁰ are independently C₁₋₁₂ alkylene;

[0084] R¹¹ is hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl and R¹² is C₁₋₆ alkyl; or R¹¹ and R¹² together are C₃₋₁₀ alkylene; and

[0085] R⁴ is a diol containing at least one functional group independently selected from amide, imide, urea, and urethane groups;

[0086] in which at least 0.1 mol % of the A units are R¹.

[0087] The structure of the polyorthoester of the present invention, as shown in formula I, is one of alternating residues of a diketene acetal and a diol, with each adjacent pair of diketene acetal residues being separated by the residue of one polyol, preferably a diol.

[0088] In the presence of water, the α-hydroxyacid containing units are readily hydrolyzed at a body temperature of 37° C. and a physiological pH, to produce the corresponding hydroxyacids. These hydroxyacids then act as acidic catalysts to control the hydrolysis rate of the polyorthoester without the addition of exogenous acid. When the polyorthoester is used as a delivery vehicle or matrix entrapping an active agent, the hydrolysis of the polyorthoester causes release of the active agent.

[0089] Polyorthoesters having a higher mole percentage of the “α-hydroxy acid containing” units will have a higher rate of bioerodibility. Preferred polyorthoesters are those in which the mole percentage of the “α-hydroxy acid containing” units is in the range of about 1 to about 50 mole percent, more preferably from about 2 to about 30 mole percent, for example from about 5 to about 30 mole percent, especially from about 10 to about 30 mole percent.

[0090] Preferred polyorthoesters are those where:

[0091] n is an integer of 5 to 1000;

[0092] R⁵ is hydrogen or methyl;

[0093] R⁶ is:

[0094] where s is an integer of 0 to 10, especially 1 to 4; s is an integer of 2 to 30, especially 2 to 10; and R⁷ is hydrogen or methyl;

[0095] R³ is:

[0096] where x is an integer of 0 to 10, especially 1 to 4; y is an integer of 2 to 30, especially 2 to 10; and R⁸ is hydrogen or methyl;

[0097] R⁴ is selected from aliphatic diols of 2 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably 2 to 10 carbon atoms, interrupted by one amide, imide, urea, or urethane group; and

[0098] the proportion of units in which A is R¹ is 1-50 mol %, preferably 2-30 mol %, more preferably 5-30 mol %.

[0099] While the presence of any of these preferences results in a polyorthoester that is more preferred than the same polyorthoester in which the preference is not met, the preferences are generally independent, and polyorthoesters in which a greater number of preferences is met will generally result in a polyorthoester that is more preferred than that in which a lesser number of preferences is met.

[0100] Expressed in terms of mole percent of the “hard” or “hydrogen bonding” unit relative to the polyorthoester as a whole, preferred polyorthoesters for liquid or ointment-like compositions are those in which the “hard” or “hydrogen bonding” unit constitutes about 20 mole percent or less. Likewise, preferred polyorthoesters for more solid compositions are those in which the “hard” or “hydrogen bonding” unit constitutes from about 60 mole percent to about 99.9 mole percent.

[0101] Polyorthoesters having a higher content of the “α-hydroxy acid containing” unit will have a higher rate of bioerodibility. Preferred polyorthoesters are those in which the “α-hydroxy acid containing” units constitute preferably from about 1 to about 50 mole percent, more preferably from about 2 to about 30 mole percent, for example from about 5 to about 30 mole percent, especially from about 10 to about 30 mole percent.

[0102] With respect to the individual “α-hydroxy acid containing” unit, p is preferably 1 to 6, more preferably 1 to 4, most preferably 1 or 2; R⁴ is preferably hydrogen or methyl; and in the above definitions of R⁵, s is preferably 2 to 12, more preferably 2 to 6 and most preferably 2; and t is preferably 4 to 12, more preferably 4 to 6 and most preferably 6.

[0103] With respect to the individual “hard” unit, R² is preferably trans-cyclohexanedimethanol.

[0104] With respect to the individual “soft” unit, q is preferably 1 to 6 and more preferably 1 to 3; and in the definitions of R³, x is preferably 2 to 12, more preferably 2 to 6 and most preferably 2; y is preferably 4 to 12, more preferably 4 to 6 and most preferably 6; R⁶ and R⁷ are preferably identical, more preferably an unbranched C₄-C₁₂ alkylene and most preferably an unbranched C₆-C₁₂ alkylene; R⁸ is preferably hydrogen; R⁹ is preferably methyl; R¹⁰ is preferably hydrogen and R¹¹ is preferably methyl.

[0105] Preparation of the Polyorthoesters

[0106] The polyorthoesters are prepared according to the methods described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,549,010 and 5,968,543. Specifically, the polyorthoesters are prepared by the reaction of a diketene acetal of formula II:

[0107] where L is hydrogen or a C₁₋₃ alkyl,

[0108] with a diol of the formula HO—R¹—OH, and optionally at least one diol of the formulae HO—R²—OH, HO—R³—OH, and HO—R⁴—OH.

[0109] The rigidity or flexibility of the polyorthoester is determined by the proportions of the “hard” and “hydrogen bonding” units and “soft” units in the polyorthoester structure, with greater rigidity achieved by including greater proportions of the “hard” and “hydrogen bonding” units in the polyorthoester.

[0110] The bioerodibility of the polyorthoester is determined by the proportion of the hydrolyzable α-hydroxy acid ester groups, with greater bioerodibility achieved by including greater proportions of the “α-hydroxy acid containing” units.

[0111] Thus, both characteristics of the resulting polyorthoester prepared from the reaction between the diketene acetal of Formula II and a mixture of the diols, are controlled by the ratio of quantities of the two to four types of diols in the diol mixture.

[0112] It is also understood that the present invention encompasses cross-linked polyorthoesters which are prepared by employing one or more polyols having more than two hydroxy functional groups. Such cross-linked polyorthoesters may be prepared preferably by first reacting the diketene acetal with a mixture of diols comprising a diol of the formula HO—R¹—OH and optionally at least one diol of the formula HO—R²—OH, HO—R³—OH, and HO—R⁴—OH, followed by addition of the polyol(s) having more than two hydroxy functional groups. Alternatively, the polyol(s) having more than two hydroxy functional groups may be added simultaneously with the diol of the formula HO—R¹—OH and other diols. Polyols having more than two hydroxy functional groups suitable for the preparation of the cross-linked polyorthoesters may be the straight or branched chain type, including polyhydroxyl compounds such as 1,2,3-propanetriol, 1,2,5-pentanetriol, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, 1,3,5-pentanetriol, 1,2,4-butanetriol, 1,4,7-heptanetriol, 1,5,10-decanetriol, 1,5,12-dodecanetriol, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexane-hexol and the like. Other representative polyols of the type are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,304,767. The reaction conditions (e.g., suitable solvents and reaction temperatures) and procedures for the preparation of the cross-linked polyorthoesters are similar to those described above for the preparation of the polyorthoesters employing only the diols, and are also described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,304,767 and 5,968,543.

[0113] The preparation of the diketene acetals of formula II is disclosed in Crivello et al., J. Polymer Sci., Part A: Polymer Chemistry, 34, 3091-3102 (1996); and will be known to a person of ordinary skill in the art. A typical method is the condensation of a bis(diol) of formula III

[0114] with two equivalents of a 2-halocarboxaldehyde dialkyl acetal, such as 2-bromoacetaldehyde diethyl acetal, followed by dehydrohalogenation to give the diketene acetal. The condensation of a glycol with diethylbromoacetals is described in Roberts et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 80, 1247-1254 (1958), and dehydrohalogenation is described in Beyerstedt et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 58, 529-553 (1936).

[0115] The diketene acetals may also be prepared by the isomerization of divinyl acetals. The isomerization of the double bond is described in Corey et al., J. Org. Chem., 38, 3224 (1973). The divinyl acetals may be prepared by the condensation of the bis(diol) of formula III with two equivalents of a vinylic aldehyde, such as acrolein or crotonaldehyde, or their dialkyl acetals, such as acrolein dimethyl acetal, and such condensation reactions are well known. Thus, for example, 2,2′-divinyl-4,4′-bis(1,3-dioxolane) is prepared from the reaction of erythritol with acrolein in benzene/p-toluenesulfonic acid; and is subsequently isomerized to 2,2′-diethylidene-4,4′-bis(1,3-dioxolane) with tris(triphenylphosphine)ruthenium(II) chloride.

[0116] The bis(diol) of formula m where R is a bond is erythritol. The bis(diol) of formula m where R is —(CH₂)_(a)— may be prepared by the oxidation of an α,ω-diene, such as 1,3-butadiene or 1,5-hexadiene, with an oxidizing reagent such as osmium tetroxide/hydrogen peroxide, or by other methods known in the art, to give the bis(diol). The bis(diol) of formula III where R is —(CH₂)_(b)—O—(CH₂)_(c)— may be prepared by the reaction of an co-hydroxy-a-olefin, such as allyl alcohol, with an ω-haloalkyloxirane, such as epichlorohydrin, to form an ω-epoxy-α-olefin with the backbone interrupted by an oxygen atom, such as 2-allyloxymethyloxirane, which is then oxidized with an oxidizing reagent such as osmium tetroxide/hydrogen peroxide, or by other methods known in the art, to give the bis(diol).

[0117] The diols of the formulae HO—R¹—OH, HO—R²—OH, HO—R³—OH, and HO—R⁴—OH are prepared according to methods known in the art, and as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,549,010 and 5,968,543. Some of the diols are commercially available. The diol of the formula HO—R¹—OH that comprises a polyester moiety may be prepared by reacting a diol of the formula HO—R⁶—OH with between 0.5 and 10 molar equivalents of a cyclic diester of an α-hydroxy acid, such as lactide or glycolide, and allowing the reaction to proceed at 100-200° C. for about 12 hours to about 48 hours. Although particular solvents are not required for this reaction, organic solvents such as dimethylacetamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethylformamide, acetonitrile, pyrrolidone, tetrahydrofuran, and methylbutyl ether may be used. The preparation of diols, in particular the diol of the formula HO—R³—OH is generally disclosed in Heller et al., J. Polymer Sci., Polymer Letters Ed., 18, 293-297 (1980), by reacting an appropriate divinyl ether with an excess of an appropriate diol. Diols of the formula HO—R⁴—OH include diols where R⁴ is R′CONR″R′ (amide), R′CONR″COR′ (imide), RNR″CONR″R′ (urea), and R′OCONR″R′ (urethane), where each R′ is independently an aliphatic, aromatic, or aromatic/aliphatic straight or branched chain hydrocarbyl, especially a straight or branched chain alkyl of 2 to 22 carbon atoms, especially 2 to 10 carbon atoms, and more especially 2 to 5 carbon atoms, and R″ is hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl, especially hydrogen or methyl, more especially hydrogen. Some representative diols of the formula HO—R⁴—OH include N,N′-bis-(2-hydroxyethyl)terephthalamide, N,N′-bis-(2-hydroxyethyl)pyromellitic diimide, 1,1′-methylenedi(p-phenylene)-bis-[3-(2-hydroxyethyl)urea], N,N′-bis-(2-hydroxyethyl)oxamide, 1,3-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)urea, 3-hydroxy-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)propionamide, 4-hydroxy-N-(3-hydroxypropyl)butyramide, and bis(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenedicarbamate. These diols are known to the art in reported syntheses and may are commercially available. Representative diols of the formula HO—(CH₂)_(n)—NHCO—(CH₂)_(m)—OH where n is an integer of 2 to 6 and m is an integer of 2 to 5 are made by the reaction of 2-aminoethanol, 3-aminopropanol, 4-aminobutanol, 5-aminopentanol, or 6-aminohexanol with β-propiolactone, γ-butyrolactone, δ-valerolactone, or ε-caprolactone. Representative diols of the formula HO—(CH₂)_(n)—NHCOO—(CH₂)_(m)—OH where n and m are each integers of 2 to 6 are made by the reaction of the same aminoalcohols just mentioned with cyclic carbonates of the formula

[0118] such as ethylene carbonate. Bis-amide diols of the formula HO—A—NHCO—B—CONH—A—OH are prepared by the reaction of a diacid, optionally in activated form, such as the diacyldihalide, with two equivalents of a hydroxy-amine. Other methods of preparation of the diols of the formula HO—R⁴—OH are known in the art.

[0119] Once made, the diol of the formula HO—R¹—OH, and the diol(s) of the formulae HO—R²—OH, HO—R³—OH, and HO—R⁴—OH in the desired proportions are mixed with the diketene acetal of formula II, typically in a slightly less than 1:1 (e.g. 0.5:1-0.9:1) ratio of total number of moles of diketene acetal to total number of moles of diols, in a suitable solvent at ambient temperature. The condensation reaction between the diketene acetal and the diols is carried out under conditions which are described in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,304,767, 4,549,010, and 5,968,543, and are well known to those skilled in the art; and will also be readily apparent from the structures of the reactants themselves. Suitable solvents are aprotic solvents, such as dimethylacetamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethylformamide, acetonitrile, acetone, ethyl acetate, pyrrolidone, tetrahydrofuran, and methylbutyl ether, and the like. Catalysts are not required for this reaction, but when used, suitable catalysts are iodine in pyridine, p-toluenesulfonic acid; salicylic acid, Lewis acids (such as boron trichloride, boron trifluoride, boron trichloride etherate, boron trifluoride etherate, stannic oxychloride, phosphorous oxychloride, zinc chloride, phosphorus pentachloride, antimony pentafluoride, stannous octoate, stannic chloride, diethyl zinc, and mixtures thereof); and Bronsted catalysts (such as polyphosphoric acid, crosslinked polystyrene sulfonic acid, acidic silica gel, and mixtures thereof). A typical amount of catalyst used is about 0.2% by weight relative to the diketene acetal. Smaller or larger amounts can also be used, such as 0.005% to about 2.0% by weight relative to the diketene acetal. Once the reaction is complete, the reaction mixture is allowed to cool and concentrated by rotoevaporation under vacuum. The concentrated mixture may be further dried under vacuum at an elevated temperature.

[0120] The polyorthoesters may also be prepared by reaction of the diketene acetal with the chosen diol(s) under similar reaction conditions, but in the presence of a “chain stopper” (a reagent that terminates polyorthoester chain formation). Suitable chain stoppers are C₅₋₂₀ alkanols, especially C₁₀₋₂₀ alkanols. The chain stopper is preferably present in from 1-20 mol % based on the diketene acetal. The polyorthoesters thus prepared have lower molecular weights with a lower molecular weight dispersion than those prepared by the reaction of the diketene acetals with only diols.

[0121] It is also understood that the present invention encompasses cross-linked polymers which are prepared by employing one or more polyols having more than two hydroxy functional groups. Such cross-linked polymers may be prepared preferably by first reacting the diketene acetal with a mixture of diols comprising a diol of Formula E(a) and optionally a diol of Formula III(b) and/or a diol of Formula III(c) followed by addition of the polyol(s) having more than two hydroxy functional groups. Alternatively, the polyol(s) having more than two hydroxy functional groups may be added simultaneously with the diol of Formula III(a) and other diols. Polyols having more than two hydroxy functional groups suitable for the preparation of the cross-linked polymers may be the straight or branched chain type, including polyhydroxyl compounds such as 1,2,3-propanetriol, 1,2,5-pentanetriol, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, 1,3,5-pentanetriol, 1,2,4-butanetriol, 1,4,7-heptanetriol, 1,5,10-decanetriol, 1,5,12-dodecanetriol, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexane-hexol and the like. Other representative polyols of the type are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,304,767. The reaction conditions (e.g., suitable solvents and reaction temperatures) and procedures for the preparation of the cross-linked polymers are similar to those described above for the preparation of the polymers employing only the diols, and are also described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,304,767.

[0122] The invention includes polyorthoesters which contain all four types of units as well as polyorthoesters containing from only the “α-hydroxy acid containing” units, or a mixture of these units with only one or two of the “hard”, “soft”, and “hydrogen bonding” units. It also includes polyorthoesters prepared from a mixture of units which contains two or more diols of the same type.

[0123] Uses of the Polyorthoesters

[0124] The present polyorthoesters can be used for any use in which bioerodible polymers are usable, such as vehicles for the sustained release of an active agent or as orthopedic implants.

[0125] To use the polyorthoester as a sustained-release vehicle, the active agent must be incorporated into a matrix of the polyorthoester or encapsulated within a capsule (or a “microcapsule” or “nanocapsule”, as those terms are sometimes used) of the polyorthoester. Methods for the preparation of sustained-release dosage forms using biodegradable polymers are well known in the art, as discussed in the references cited in the “Description of the Prior Art” section of this application, and in other references familiar to those of ordinary skill in the art; so that a person of ordinary skill in the art would have no difficulty, having regard to that skill and this disclosure, in preparing sustained-release formulations using the polyorthoester of this invention. Suitable active agents include therapeutic agents such as pharmaceutical or pharmacological active agents, e.g. drugs and medicaments, as well as prophylactic agents, diagnostic agents, and other chemicals or materials useful in preventing or treating disease. The compositions of this invention are particularly useful for the therapeutic treatment of humans and other mammals, but may also be used for other animals. In addition, the sustained-release compositions of this invention may also be used for the release of cosmetic and agricultural agents, or for the release of biocides, such as fungicides or other pesticides, into an environment where prolonged release of the active agent is desired.

[0126] In the case of matrix formulations, the polyorthoester is first mixed with the active agent. High homogeneity may be achieved by mixing the polyorthoester in its heat softened state with the active agent, followed by lowering the temperature to harden the composition. Alternatively, the polyorthoester can be dissolved in an appropriate casting solvent, such as tetrahydrofuran, methylene chloride, chloroform or ethyl acetate, and the active agent can then be dispersed or dissolved in the polyorthoester solution, followed by evaporating the solvent to achieve the finished composition. Another method is grinding a solid polyorthoester material into powder which is then mixed with a powdered active agent. The active agent may also be incorporated into the mixture of monomers before polymerization provided that it is stable under the polymerization conditions and does not interfere with the polymerization reaction. If the active agent is one that is unstable at elevated temperatures (e.g. above 40° C.), or in the presence of organic solvents or organic solvent/water mixtures, such as a protein, then special preparation techniques may be required to minimize the exposure of the active agent to damaging conditions. Such techniques are disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,620,697 (Tormala et al., assigned to Orion-Yhtyma Oy and Leiras Oy), which discloses ultrasonic melting to form matrix-type pharmaceutical compositions, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,518,730 (Fuisz, assigned to Fuisz Technologies, Inc.), which discloses melt-spinning, both of which techniques are designed to minimize the exposure of the polymer and active to elevated temperatures. Other methods are disclosed in the patents and literature references cited elsewhere in this application.

[0127] An alternate method for the incorporation and release of sensitive therapeutic agents is to use bioerodible polyorthoesters that have physical properties tailored for this incorporation. For example, the polyorthoester may be chosen so that it is semi-solid and has an ointment-like consistency, rather than being fully solid. Thus, a polyorthoester may be chosen that has a very high viscosity at normal body temperature of 37° C. so that little if any deformation takes place at that temperature. However, the viscosity of the polyorthoester may decrease substantially at temperatures no higher than 45° C., or preferably by 40° C., so that injection of the material may be possible at a temperature at which the active agent retains its activity.

[0128] The composition obtained from any of the above methods can be readily processed into a variety of shapes and forms for implantation, insertion or placement on the body or into body cavities or passageways. For example, the polyorthoester composition may be injection molded, extruded or compressed into a thin film or made into devices of various geometric shapes or forms such as flat, square, round, cylindrical, tubular, disc, ring and the like. Rod- or pellet-shaped devices may be implanted through a trocar, such as is known for Norplant® implants, and these or other shapes may be implanted by minor surgical procedures. Alternatively, a device may be implanted following a major surgical procedure such as tumor removal in the surgical treatment of cancer.

[0129] The polyorthoester composition may also be injected by syringe subcutaneously or intramuscularly as particles of 0.1μ to 1000μ, preferably 0.5μ to 200μ, and more preferably 1μ to 150μ suspended in a pharmaceutically acceptable injection base. Liquid vehicles useful for suspending the drug-polyorthoester composition for injection include isotonic saline solution or oils (such as corn oil, cottonseed oil, peanut oil and sesame oil) which, if desired, may contain other adjuvants.

[0130] Another injectable dosage form may be prepared from an active agent mixed in with a polyorthoester of the present invention which has an ointment-like consistency. Such a dosage form may be administered by injection with or without a solvent.

[0131] The polyorthoester composition administered by either injection or implantation undergoes bioerosion in the body into non-toxic and non-reactive materials. By controlling the number of hydrolyzable bonds in the polyorthoester, the active agent may be released at a desired rate. Implants prepared from the present polyorthoesters in which the polyorthoester constitutes the matrix containing an active agent also have the advantage that they do not require removal because of the bioerodibility of the polyorthoester.

[0132] In some cases, particles with cores of the pure active agent coated with various thicknesses of the present polyorthoester may be preferred for sustained delivery of the active agent. Coating or encapsulation of discrete particles of the active agent may be accomplished by conventional methods which are all well-known to the person skilled in the art. For example, finely divided drug particles may be suspended in a solvent system (in which the drug is not soluble) containing the dissolved polyorthoester and other excipients, followed by spray drying. Alternatively, the drug particles may be placed in a rotating pan or a fluid-bed dryer and the polyorthoester dissolved in a carrier solvent is sprayed onto the drug particles until a suitable coating quantity is deposited on the particles to give a desired thickness. The coating may also be achieved by suspending the drug particles in a solvent system containing the dissolved polyorthoester followed by adding to the suspension a non-solvent causing the polyorthoester to precipitate and form a coating over the drug particles.

[0133] For the sustained release compositions, because the active agent will be released over a controlled period of time, the agent usually is present in an amount which is greater than the conventional single dose. The relative proportions of the active agent and the polyorthoester can vary over a wide range (e.g., 0.1 to 50 weight percent) depending on the therapeutic agent and the desired effect.

[0134] Sustained compositions of cosmetic and agricultural agents may also be prepared by any one of the methods as described above, using the polyorthoesters of the present invention.

[0135] The solid polyorthoesters (those containing a high percentage of the “hard” unit and/or a high proportion of the “hydrogen bonding” unit) are also useful for a variety of orthopedic applications. For example, they can be used as fracture fixation devices for repair of osteochondral defects, ligament and tendon reconstructions and bone substitutes. In addition, the fact that the present polyorthoesters permit simultaneous selection of both a desired level of their mechano-physical state and a desired rate of bioerodibility, also renders them attractive as grafts or scaffolds on which cells can be cultured in vitro prior to implantation to regenerate tissues. Tissues which can be regenerated using this approach include but not limited to, bone, tendon, cartilage, ligaments, liver, intestine, ureter and skin tissues. For example, the polyorthoesters may be used to regenerate skin for patients with burns or skin ulcers. Cartilages may be repaired by first isolating chondrocytes from a patient (or a donor), allowing them to proliferate on the scaffolds prepared from the present polyorthoester and re-implanting the cells in the patient.

[0136] The polyorthoester scaffolds or implants may further contain other biologically active substances or synthetic inorganic materials such as reinforcing filler material for enhancing the mechanical properties of the scaffolds or implants (e.g. calcium sodium metaphosphate fibers), antibiotics or bone growth factors to induce and/or promote orthopedic restoration and tissue regeneration.

[0137] The compositions are also stable. The release rates of the active agent are not affected by irradiation for sterilization.

[0138] Particular Compositions and their Uses

[0139] Exemplary compositions of this invention, and their uses, include:

[0140] (1) compositions containing local anesthetics, optionally in combination with glucocorticosteroids such as dexamethasone, cortisone, hydrocortisone, prednisone, prednisolone, beclomethasone, betamethasone, flunisolide, fluoconolone acetonide, fluocinonide, triamcinolone, and the like, for the prolonged relief of local pain or a prolonged nerve blockade. This use is discussed further below;

[0141] (2) compositions containing cancer chemotherapeutic agents, such as those listed above under “Active Agents”, for deposition by syringe or by injection into tumors or operative sites from which a tumor has been ablated, for tumor control or treatment and/or the suppression of regrowth of the tumor from residual tumor cells after ablation of the tumor;

[0142] (3) compositions containing progestogens, such as flurogestone, medroxyprogesterone, norgestrel, norgestimate, norethindrone, and the like, for estrus synchronization or contraception;

[0143] (4) compositions containing antimetabolites such as fluorouracil and the like, as an adjunct to glaucoma filtering surgery; compositions containing antiangiogenic agents such as combrestatin, for the treatment of macular degeneration and retinal angiogenesis; and other compositions for the controlled release of ophthalmic drugs to the eye;

[0144] (5) compositions containing therapeutic polypeptides (proteins), such as insulin, LHRH antagonists, and the like, for the controlled delivery of these polypeptides, avoiding the need for daily or other frequent injection;

[0145] (6) compositions containing anti-inflammatory agents such as the NSAIDs, e.g. ibuprofen, naproxen, COX-1 or COX-2 inhibitors, and the like, or glucocorticosteroids, for intra-articular injection;

[0146] (7) compositions containing antibiotics, for the prevention or treatment of infection, especially for deposition into surgical sites to suppress post-operative infection, or into or on wounds, for the suppression of infection (e.g. from foreign bodies in the wound);

[0147] (8) compositions containing morphogenic proteins such as bone morphogenic protein; and

[0148] (9) compositions containing DNA or other polynucleotides, such as antisense oligonucleotides.

[0149] Delivery of Controlled-Release Local Anesthetics by Injection

[0150] Local anesthetics induce a temporary nerve conduction block and provide pain relief which lasts from a few minutes to a few hours. They are frequently used to prevent pain in surgical procedures, dental manipulations or injuries.

[0151] The synthetic local anesthetics may be divided into two groups: the slightly soluble compounds and the soluble compounds. Conventionally, the soluble local anesthetics can be applied topically and by injection, and the slightly soluble local anesthetics are used only for surface application. The local anesthetics conventionally administered by injection can also be divided into two groups, esters and non-esters. The esters include (1) benzoic acid esters (piperocaine, meprylcaine and isobucaine); (2) para-aminobenzoic acid esters (procaine, tetracaine, butethamine, propoxycaine, chloroprocaine); (3) meta-aminobenzoic acid esters (metabutethamine, primacaine); and (4)para-ethoxybenzoic acid ester (parethoxycaine). The non-esters are anilides (amides or nonesters) which include bupivacaine, lidocaine, mepivacaine, pyrrocaine and prilocaine.

[0152] Many of the local anesthetics are conventionally used in the form of their acid addition salts, as this provides solubility in aqueous injection media. However, because the presence of the large amount of acid within such a local anesthetic acid addition salt will result in more rapid degradation of the polyorthoesters and release of the local anesthetic, it is generally desirable to use the local anesthetics in free base form, or with only a small proportion of the acid addition salt present (addition of small quantities of the acid addition salt may provide enhanced release if desired).

[0153] The semi-solid injectable form of a local anesthetic of the present invention is prepared by incorporating the local anesthetic into the delivery vehicle in a manner as described above. The concentration of the local anesthetic may vary from 1-60 wt. %, preferably 5-30 wt. %, e.g. about 10 wt. %. The semi-solid composition is then filled into a syringe with a 18-25 gauge needle, and injected into sites that are painful or to be subjected to surgical procedures. The semi-solid injectable composition of the present invention can be used for controlled delivery of both slightly soluble and soluble local anesthetics.

[0154] Because the duration of action of a local anesthetic is proportional to the time during which it is in actual contact with nervous tissues, the present injectable delivery system can maintain localization of the anesthetic at the nerve for an extended period of time which will greatly prolong the effect of the anesthetic.

[0155] A number of authors, including Berde et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,046,187 and related patents, have suggested that the co-administration of a glucocorticosteroid may prolong or otherwise enhance the effect of local anesthetics, especially controlled-release local anesthetics; and formulations containing a local anesthetic and a glucocorticosteroid, and their uses for controlled release local anesthesia, are within the scope of this invention.

EXAMPLE

[0156] The following synthesis illustrates the preparation of a polyorthoester of this invention.

[0157] The polyorthoester in this example is prepared from 2,2′-diethylidene-4,4′-bis(1,3-dioxolane), a diol of formula IV:

[0158] trans-cyclohexanedimethanol (t-CDM), and N,N′-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)oxamide. The molar ratio of the four components (2,2′-diethylidene-4,4′-bis(1,3-dioxolane):diol of formula IV:t-CDM:N,N′-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)oxamide is 100:9:90:1.

[0159] 2,2′-Diethylidene-4,4′-bis(1,3-dioxolane) is prepared as described in Crivello et al., referred to above; the diol of formula IV is prepared as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,968,543; and t-CDM and N,N′-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)oxamide are obtained commercially.

[0160] Under rigorously anhydrous conditions, 2,2′-diethylidene-4,4′-bis(1,3-dioxolane) (40 mmol), diol of formula IV (3.6 mmol), t-CDM (36 mmol), and 4-hydroxy-N-(3-hydroxy-propyl)butyramide (0.4 mmol) are weighed into a 250 mL round bottom flask, and the mixture dissolved in anhydrous tetrahydrofuran (75 mL). To this solution is added a p-toluenesulfonic acid solution in tetrahydrofuran (5 drops, 40 mg/mL) to initiate the polymerization. The solution comes to a boil within a few minutes. The solution is allowed to cool to room temperature, then is slowly poured with vigorous stirring into an excess of methanol (800 mL) containing triethylamine (1 mL) as a stabilizer. The precipitated polyorthoester is collected and dried overnight in a vacuum oven at 40° C.

[0161] The foregoing is offered primarily for purposes of illustration. It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the molecular structures, proportions of the reactant materials, methods of use and other parameters of the invention described herein may be further modified or substituted in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A polyorthoester of formula I:

where: R* is a C₁₋₄alkyl; n is an integer of at least 5; and A is R¹, R², R¹, or R⁴, where R¹ is:

where: p is an integer of 1 to 20; R⁵ is hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl; and R⁶ is:

where: s is an integer of 0 to 30; t is an integer of 2 to 200; and R⁷ is hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl; R² is:

where: x is an integer of 0 to 30; y is an integer of 2 to 200; R⁸ is hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl; R⁹ and R¹⁰ are independently C₁₋₁₂ alkylene; R¹¹ is hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl and R¹² is C₁₋₆ alkyl; or R¹¹ and R¹² together are C₃₋₁₀ alkylene; and R⁴ is a diol containing at least one functional group independently selected from amide, imide, urea, and urethane groups; in which at least 0.1 mol % of the A units are R¹.
 2. The polyorthoester of claim 1 where n is about 5 to about
 1000. 3. The polyorthoester of claim 2 where n is about 20 to about
 500. 4. The polyorthoester of claim 3 where n is about 30 to about
 300. 5. The polyorthoester of claim 1 which comprises about 1 to about 50 mole percent of units in which A is —O—R¹—.
 6. The polyorthoester of claim 5 which comprises about 2 to about 30 mole percent of units in which A is —O—R¹—.
 7. The polyorthoester of claim 6 which comprises about 5 to about 30 mole percent of units in which A is —O—R¹—.
 8. The polyorthoester of claim 7 which comprises about 10 to about 30 mole percent of units in which A is —O—R¹—.
 9. The polyorthoester of claim 1 where p is 1 to
 6. 10. The polyorthoester of claim 9 where p is 1 to
 4. 11. The polyorthoester of claim 10 where p is 1 to
 2. 12. The polyorthoester of claim 1 where R⁴ is hydrogen or methyl.
 13. The polyorthoester of claim 1 which comprises up to about 20 mole percent of units in which A is —O—R²—.
 14. The polyorthoester of claim 1 which comprises about 60 to about 99.9 mole percent of units in which A is —O—R²—.
 15. The polyorthoester of claim 1 where q is 1 to
 6. 16. The polyorthoester of claim 15 where q is 1 to
 3. 17. A process of preparing a polyorthoester of formula I:

where: R* is a C₁₋₄ alkyl; n is an integer of at least 5; and A is R¹, R², R³, or R⁴, where R¹ is:

where: p is an integer of 1 to 20; R⁵ is hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl; and R⁶ is:

where: s is an integer of 0 to 30; t is an integer of 2 to 200; and R⁷ is hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl; R² is:

where: x is an integer of 0 to 30; y is an integer of 2 to 200; R⁸ is hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl; R⁹ and R¹⁰ are independently C₁₋₁₂ alkylene; R¹¹ is hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl and R¹² is C₁₋₆ alkyl; or R¹¹ and R¹² together are C₃₋₁₀ alkylene; and R⁴ is a diol containing at least one functional group independently selected from amide, imide, urea, and urethane groups; in which at least 0.1 mol % of the A units are R¹, the process comprising reacting a diketene acetal of formula II:

where L is hydrogen or a C₁₋₃ alkyl, with a diol of the formula HO—R¹—OH and a diol of the formula HO—R⁴—OH, and optionally at least one diol of the formulae HO—R²—OH and HO—R³—OH.
 18. A polyorthoester that is the product of a reaction between: (a) a diketene acetal of formula II:

where L is hydrogen or a C₁₋₃ alkyl, and (b) a polyol or mixture of polyols in which at least 0.1 mole percent of the total polyol content is a diol of the formula HO—R¹—OH, where R¹ is:

where: p is an integer of 1 to 20; R⁵ is hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl; and R⁶ is:

where: s is an integer of 0 to 30; t is an integer of 2 to 200; and R⁷ is hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl; R¹¹ is hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl and R¹² is C₁₋₆ alkyl; or R¹¹ and R¹² together are C₃₋₁₀ alkylene.
 19. The polyorthoester of claim 18 where at least one of the polyols is a polyol having more than two hydroxy functional groups.
 20. A device for orthopedic restoration or tissue regeneration comprising a polyorthoester of claim
 1. 21. A bioerodible implant comprising a polyorthoester of claim
 1. 22. A pharmaceutical composition comprising: (a) an active agent; and (b) as a vehicle, the polyorthoester of claim
 1. 23. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 22 where the fraction of the active agent is from 1% to 60% by weight of the composition.
 24. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 23 where the fraction of the active agent is from 5% to 30% by weight of the composition.
 25. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 22 where the active agent is selected from anti-infectives, antiseptics, steroids, therapeutic polypeptides, anti-inflammatory agents, cancer chemotherapeutic agents, narcotics, local anesthetics, antiangiogenic agents, vaccines, antigens, DNA, and antisense oligonucleotides.
 26. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 22 where the active agent is a therapeutic polypeptide.
 27. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 22 where the active agent is a local anesthetic.
 28. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 27 further comprising a glucocorticosteroid.
 27. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 22 where the active agent is an antiangiogenic agent.
 30. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 22 where the active agent is a cancer chemotherapeutic agent.
 31. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 22 where the active agent is an antibiotic.
 32. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 22 where the active agent is an anti-inflammatory agent.
 33. A method of treating a disease state treatable by controlled release local administration of an active agent, comprising locally administering a therapeutically effective amount of the active agent in the form of a pharmaceutical composition of claim
 22. 34. The method of claim 33 where the active agent is selected from anti-infectives, antiseptics, steroids, therapeutic polypeptides, anti-inflammatory agents, cancer chemotherapeutic agents, narcotics, local anesthetics, antiangiogenic agents, vaccines, antigens, DNA, and antisense oligonucleotides.
 35. A method of preventing or relieving local pain at a site in a mammal, comprising administering to the site a therapeutically effective amount of a local anesthetic in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable composition of claim
 22. 